A real kind of freedom

Two months later...

This is not about being a good steward, there are already books and programs out there put together by much wiser people than I, for that purpose.

This is about FREEDOM.

The world — both Christians and non-Christians — is held captive by so many things. But none of these captors is as all-inclusive and pervasive as the issue of money.

Everyone wants it. No one has enough of it. And even the best are unaware of the power it has over their lives.

I want to be FREE.

I’ve been fed so many lies about the happiness and contentment that is found in a supple bank account. That is akin to being content with a better form of slavery. We have been given a way out. We can live by the grace and means of the Great Sustainer — there is nowhere else I want to be.

This idea should fail. No one wants to hear this — I presume it is because it hits too close to home. So, I will have to count on God’s hand to open the ears and eyes of people who are slaves (whether they know it or not) to money. We are all in the boat here. For thousands of years, we have been held captive by the promise of and hope of more, MORE, MORE money. The thought of worldly financial freedom keeps us going, it keeps us up at night, it is the American dream and we are sleeping soundly until it wakes us up.

What about a Supernatural freedom from financial worry?...

I am not a good enough writer to make this subject sound doable — only God can change our hard hearts and I pray He will change mine, even as I write.

Recognizing and really knowing that all I have is God’s — He can do with it and me what He wants whenever He wants is key. It is kind of funny and mostly naive of me to think I have even a little control over all of it.

Lastly, it is imperative to realize that without God this equation of freedom does not work. Consequently, a relationship with Him must be the first step, not the only step, but the first step. We must have empathy for those without God and first of all lead them toward Him.


What could that possibly look like in an individual’s life?

1. Giving my absolute first 10% to God’s work — even more from the other 90%. Give joyfully always, not begrudgingly.
2. Not being affected by what others think of what I have, not letting others’ opinions determine where my money goes
3. Two-fold honesty:
a. Not lying to impress (i.e. saying something cost more than it did)
b. Not lying to justify (i.e. saying something cost less than it did)
4. Simply put: Don’t spend what you don’t have
5. Not being consumed with comparisons of your money versus others’. (i.e. “I have more…” or “I don’t have as much as they do…”) True joy expressed at the financial successes of friends.
6. No judgments made on those who ask for help.
7. Practically…
a. If something still works — I don’t need a new model.
b. Save leftovers
c. Wear hand-me-downs
d. Etc.

DO NOT BE A MARTYR

When living in the flow of God’s will, we trust Him to take care of our needs.

You know you have achieved complete freedom from the love of money when you do not have the need to let others know you have achieved this freedom — be humble.